(Note 1) Roughing shall be considered any act where a player uses unnecessary force to push or shove an opponent or makes avoidable physical contact (non-body check) with an opponent after the whistle.
(Note 2) Under this rule, a penalty for roughing should also be assessed to a player who uses their hands, arms or stick in a careless or reckless manner while delivering a check, or delivers an avoidable body check to an opponent after the whistle or who is no longer in control of the puck. The onus is on the player delivering the check to avoid placing a vulnerable or defenseless opponent in danger of potential injury.
(a) A minor or double minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who is deemed guilty of unnecessary roughness (roughing) as outlined in Note 1 above.
Any action warranting a major penalty under this rule shall be assessed under Rule 615 (Fighting).
(Note) The spirit and intent of this rule is to eliminate ALL unnecessary pushing and shoving between players after the whistle. USA Hockey is directing officials to strictly enforce rules pertaining to scrum situations. Special attention should be given to differentiate between the degree(s) of responsibility with an additional minor penalty being assessed to any player who instigates or continues these actions.
(b) A minor penalty shall be assessed (except Adult Male Classifications) to any player who delivers an avoidable body check to an opponent who is no longer in control of the puck.
A player who has released a shot or pass is no longer considered to be in control of the puck. They are considered to be vulnerable or defenseless and are not eligible to be body checked.
(c) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who makes avoidable physical contact with an opponent after the whistle.
(d) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who delivers a body check with no effort to gain possession of the puck and the blade of the player’s stick is above the knees.
(e) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who delivers a body check to an opponent who is physically engaged for possession of the puck with one or more other players.
(Note) When two or more players are physically engaged for possession of the puck they are considered vulnerable or defenseless and are not eligible to be body checked.
(f) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any goalkeeper who body checks an opponent.
(g) A major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who recklessly endangers an opponent as a result of any actions falling under Rule 640(b, c, d, e or f).
(h) A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed under sub-sections (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this rule.